Chinese president returns to Beijing after visits to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing Sunday evening after wrapping up visits to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L, front) and other leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries and observer states, as well as representatives of regional and international bodies, head for group photos during the 19th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, June 14, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua/Yin Bogu]

In Kyrgyzstan, Xi paid a state visit to the country and attended the 19th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, capital of the country.

After Kyrgyzstan, Xi attended the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe and paid a state visit to the country.

Xi's entourage, including Ding Xuexiang, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee; State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi; and He Lifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also returned to Beijing on the same plane.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon saw Xi off at the airport of Dushanbe on Sunday morning local time.

Xi expressed his appreciation of Rahmon and the Tajik side's hospitality and congratulated Tajikistan for successfully hosting the CICA.

Xi said he enjoyed the visit to Tajikistan, during which he had in-depth discussion with Rahmon on issues of common concern and reached important consensus.

Cooperation between the two countries on the Belt and Road construction has yielded positive outcomes, Xi said, voicing his hope that as a result of joint efforts, bilateral cooperation will reach a new height and benefit people of both sides.

Rahmon congratulated Xi on the success of his visit to Tajikistan and thanked Xi and the Chinese side for contributing to the CICA.

With a deep friendship with president Xi and the Chinese people, the Tajik people cherish Tajikistan-China ties and appreciate China's valuable support, Rahmon said.

Xi's visit to Tajikistan has been fruitful and important, Tajikistan will use it as an opportunity to further strengthen its relations with China, he said.